Department for Enterprise
53 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 305.7%
The Freedom of Information requests to the Department for Enterprise reveal an authority that is selectively transparent, often disclosing aggregate statistics and operational timelines while rigorously guarding specific financial details and commercial relationships. A dominant theme is the 'commercial interest' exemption, which is repeatedly invoked to withhold data on the Isle of Man TT (357873, 357871) and major business grants (1373637, 522836). While the Department readily provides figures on trademark income (357847) or website development costs (1060362), it consistently refuses to compile or release data on safety expenditures, rescue operations, and the specific financial terms of government support for key industries like Triumph and Eagle Labs. This pattern suggests a strategy of maintaining public confidence in the event's popularity while obscuring the true fiscal risks and subsidies involved.
Key Cases
Case 357873 — This case represents a significant transparency failure regarding public safety. The Department withheld all information on the costs of rescue helicopters, safety equipment, and road barriers for the TT, citing 'commercial interests'. Given the life-or-death nature of these expenditures, the refusal to disclose safety spending is highly contentious.
Case 1060362 — A rare instance of full financial disclosure for a digital project. The Department revealed the exact cost (£137,144.18) of developing and running the 'iomttraces' website and timing system, providing a clear benchmark for the cost of government digital infrastructure that contrasts with the redactions seen in other tech cases.
Case 1373637 — This case highlights the 'economic prejudice' exemption used to shield major corporate relationships. The Department confirmed no grants were given for a new Triumph factory but withheld specific details on grants awarded since 2013, preventing public scrutiny of the financial support given to one of the island's largest employers.
Case 1854325 — A politically sensitive case involving the Chief Minister. The Department withheld details on whether Howard Quayle received public COVID-19 support for his holiday cottages, citing personal data and breach of confidence. This refusal to confirm or deny high-level political financial interests undermines public trust.
Case 357847 — This case provides a crucial baseline for the TT's commercial value. By disclosing the total income generated by licensing the TT trademark from 2012-2016, it reveals the revenue stream that often offsets the massive undisclosed costs seen in other cases, painting a partial picture of the event's financial reality.
Related FOI Stories
The True Cost of the Isle of Man TT — #357847, #357853, #354749, #357861, #357867
Enterprise Development Scheme & Business Support — #357891, #462337, #514142, #522836, #617366
Infrastructure: Broadband, Telecommunications & Digital Strategy — #1206549, #1327609, #1368137, #1470773, #1050263
Land Registry, Housing & Development — #354735, #357743, #357859, #357863, #357885
Immigration, Work Permits & Employment — #357739, #449057, #455234, #498133, #881965
All (53)
All information sent (162) ·
Some information sent but part exempt (59) ·
Information not held (53) ·
Some information sent but not all held (43) ·
No information sent - all held but exempt (18) ·
Not upheld (8) ·
Not required to fulfill request (6) ·
Upheld - partial (3) ·
Upheld - full (2) ·
Request lapsed - requested information not provided (2) ·
Withdrawn (1) ·
Neither confirm or deny information held (1) ·
Information Notice (1) ·
| Date | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-20 | Civil Registry | Information not held |
| The requester asked for policies and records regarding the recruitment, due diligence, and conflict of interest checks for Registrars in local authorities. The Department for Enterprise responded that the Registrar General has no authority over local recruitment processes and therefore holds no such policies or records, though it does require training and competency assessment before granting a warrant. | ||
| 2025-12-16 | easyJet Discussions | Information not held |
| The requester asked for correspondence regarding discussions between the Department for Enterprise, Department of Infrastructure, and easyJet about the Isle of Man Airport's future and reliability. The Department for Enterprise responded that it does not hold this information as operational matters are the sole responsibility of the Isle of Man Airport. | ||
| 2025-10-22 | Reasons for moving to the Isle of Man | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department for Enterprise asking for statistics on how many people move to the Isle of Man due to the TT and what the most common reason for moving is. The authority responded that it does not hold or collate this specific information. | ||
| 2025-10-06 | Wanderlust Travel Awards 2024 & 2025 | Information not held |
| The requester sought information regarding the Isle of Man's nomination for the 2024 and 2025 Wanderlust Travel Awards, including documentation and associated costs. The Department for Enterprise responded that no such information is held because there was no communication with the award organizers and no expenses were incurred. | ||
| 2025-09-08 | Legal Costs | Information not held |
| The requester asked for legal costs and correspondence regarding a trademark infringement case against Target Therapies, but the Department for Enterprise responded that no such legal proceedings occurred and the matter was resolved administratively without cost. | ||
| 2025-08-12 | Income Plus Services | Information not held |
| A request was made for all records of payments, grants, and loans made to Income Plus Services by the Department for Enterprise. The authority responded that no such information is held because no payments have ever been made to the organization. | ||
| 2025-08-06 | Applications to the Local Economy Fund from NCOC | Information not held |
| The requester asked for details of Local Economy Fund applications from the Northern Chamber of Commerce since April 2025. The Department for Enterprise responded that no such information is held because the Chamber has not submitted any applications. | ||
| 2025-05-14 | Business Migrant - Innovator Visa | Information not held |
| The requester asked if the Department for Enterprise issued Business Migrant Visa endorsements for investors in Reayrt Vradda Glamping Limited. The Department responded that no such endorsements have been issued and the information is not held. | ||
| 2025-04-08 | Castletown Square | Information not held |
| The requester asked for documentation regarding the economic impact and consultation on the permanent closure of Castletown Square as a car park. The Department for Enterprise responded that it does not hold any such information as it was not consulted on the decision, which was made by the Castletown Commissioners. | ||
| 2025-02-06 | Digital Board | Information not held |
| A request was made for a register of interests for Digital Isle of Man Board Members, but the Department for Enterprise responded that this information is not held. | ||
| 2024-11-18 | MT buyout | Information not held |
| A request was made for correspondence regarding a potential Manx Telecom buyout offer to the Isle of Man Government, but the Department for Enterprise confirmed no such information is held because no offer was ever made. | ||
| 2024-10-24 | Cunningham's Holiday Camp site in Douglas | Information not held |
| The requester asked for details on government involvement in the purchase of Cunningham's Holiday Camp and financial costs related to King Gaming and Jade Tree Limited. The Department for Enterprise responded that it holds no information on these matters as it was not involved in the acquisition nor did it provide any financial support or incur costs for the companies. | ||
| 2024-08-27 | NSC Gym memberships | Information not held |
| The requester asked for data on active NSC Gym memberships and single visit purchases for 2024, but the Department for Enterprise responded that they do not hold this information. | ||
| 2023-12-19 | Executive Agencies | Information not held |
| 2023-12-06 | Castletown | Information not held |
| 2023-09-07 | Work Permits | Information not held |
| 2023-09-04 | LUKE DONNELLY | Information not held |
| 2023-08-11 | Transport Festival | Information not held |
| 2023-06-23 | Funding of Manx Development Corporation | Information not held |
| 2023-06-23 | Crogga Gas regulations | Information not held |
| 2023-06-06 | Census 2020 | Information not held |
| 2023-05-31 | TT Drugs Tests | Information not held |
| 2023-05-16 | Employment Tribunals | Information not held |
| 2023-03-22 | Working population percentage | Information not held |
| 2023-03-16 | TikTok | Information not held |
| 2023-02-01 | public sector visitors in the PRO visitors log | Information not held |
| 2022-12-27 | UFO sightings | Information not held |
| 2022-12-07 | Teaching Union Returns submitted to the Dept. for Enterprise | Information not held |
| 2022-11-14 | Internet cameras | Information not held |
| 2022-10-05 | Heathrow | Information not held |
| 2022-08-02 | Ramsey Bakery | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department for Enterprise regarding offers for the former Ramsey Bakery and any associated financial assistance sought or granted. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information. | ||
| 2022-07-26 | Strategic Partnership Contract | Information not held |
| The requester asked for a copy of the contract appointing KPMG as a strategic partner, but the Department for Enterprise responded that it does not hold the document because the contract was entered into by the Treasury. | ||
| 2022-07-20 | Cost of KPMG 'Our Big Picture' work | Information not held |
| The request sought details on KPMG's costs, hours, and tender responses for the 'Our Big Picture' economic strategy project. The Department for Enterprise disclosed tender statistics but stated it does not hold financial or hourly data as the contract was managed by Treasury. | ||
| 2022-07-19 | employment practices liability insurance | Information not held |
| The requester asked for information on employment practices liability insurance for Department for Enterprise agencies and related legislation. The authority disclosed that executive agencies have such coverage via a Zurich policy but confirmed no information exists regarding legislative amendments to mandate this insurance. | ||
| 2022-03-15 | Secrecy Agreements | Information not held |
| The requester asked the Department for Enterprise for all agreements and secrecy records regarding Loganair since January 2022. The Department responded that it does not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Department of Infrastructure instead. | ||
| 2022-02-21 | Board demographics | Information not held |
| The requester asked for an age and gender demographic breakdown of executive and non-executive boards within the Department for Enterprise. The authority responded that the specific age data requested is not held, though it provided links to websites listing board member names and photographs. | ||
| 2022-01-24 | Information Commissioner's Decision 2022/0001 | Information not held |
| The requester asked the Department for Enterprise how many times it had failed to consider FOI requests on their own merits following a specific Information Commissioner's decision. The authority responded that it does not hold this information, stating that all requests are processed individually and only one ICO review has occurred in the last three years. | ||
| 2021-10-25 | Lateral Flow Devices | Information not held |
| A request was made for documents regarding the procurement of lateral flow devices since May 2021, including tender details and correspondence. The Department for Enterprise responded that the requested information is not held. | ||
| 2021-09-21 | UN COP26 invitations etc | Information not held |
| A request was made for details on Isle of Man Government employees invited to or attending UN COP26 summits, including funding and leave arrangements. The Department for Enterprise responded that they do not hold the requested information but directed the requester to a related FOI response from the Cabinet Office. | ||
| 2021-09-02 | Health care during TT | Information not held |
| The requester asked for the cost of healthcare provided to injured TT and FOM festival participants over the last five years. The Department for Enterprise responded that the requested information is not held. | ||
| 2021-07-21 | Cannabis licences numbers | Information not held |
| The requester asked the Department for Enterprise for statistics on cannabis licence applications and issuances, including a breakdown by licence type. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Gambling Supervision Commission instead. | ||
| 2021-06-23 | TT and MGP Marshals - numbers and training | Information not held |
| A request was made for detailed statistics on TT and MGP marshals, including numbers, age breakdowns, and training records from 2016 to 2019. The Department for Enterprise responded that the information is not held by the authority. | ||
| 2021-01-22 | Medical Cannabis Policy | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department for Enterprise regarding the reasoning, human rights compatibility, and voting records of the Isle of Man's medical cannabis policy. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information as policy decisions fall under the Department of Health and Social Care, not Enterprise. | ||
| 2020-10-09 | Glamping proposal South Barrule plantation | Information not held |
| A request was made for financial details and officer time regarding a glamping proposal at South Barrule plantation, but the Department for Enterprise stated they do not hold the information. | ||
| 2020-09-10 | Retail concerns | Information not held |
| A request was made for documentation regarding retail research and strategy for the Crosby Coop and its impact on Douglas and Peel. The Department for Enterprise responded that they do not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. | ||
| 2020-05-26 | Communication for Pedestrianisation of Parliament St | Information not held |
| The request sought correspondence between the Department for Enterprise and Ramsey Town Commissioners regarding the pedestrianisation of Parliament Street in May 2020. The authority responded by providing email correspondence and calendar appointments, though the official outcome is recorded as 'Information not held'. | ||
| 2019-11-14 | 5G testing and early trials as per the 2018 National Telecoms Strategy | Information not held |
| A request was made regarding 5G testing and trials under the 2018 National Telecoms Strategy, including public notification and opt-out provisions. The Department for Enterprise responded that it does not hold the requested information as it is not directly involved in issuing spectrum. | ||
| 2019-11-06 | All corriespondence between the Department and Cruise ship operators. | Information not held |
| A request was made for all correspondence between the Department for Enterprise and cruise ship operators regarding Manx laws, but the authority responded that the information is not held. | ||
| 2019-05-16 | Information on Government support of Eagle Labs | Information not held |
| The requester asked for details on direct financial support provided to Barclays' Eagle Labs by the Department for Enterprise. The authority responded that no direct financial support was held, but referenced a separate agreement involving a financial guarantee for rent. | ||
| 2018-12-17 | Steve Mercer TT accident | Information not held |
| The requester asked if the Department for Enterprise conducted an investigation into the 2018 TT accident involving Steve Mercer and a Course Inspector Car. The Department responded that it does not hold the information because it did not carry out the investigation, noting that independent investigations were commissioned by the Race Organisers and their insurers. | ||
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